Change seldom takes place without first asking questions. Jesus shaped His disciples’ thinking by asking them questions. When Jesus was asked questions, He often responded with questions. Questions can be very useful in discerning God’s will. Here are some questions you will want to ask to discern God’s best for your life and to become more effective for Him.

Questions for Simplifying Your Life*

1. How would you complete this sentence: “I would like to trade ____ in my life for _____.What are simple pleasures you most enjoy (napping in a hammock, picnicking in a scenic spot)? How do these activities affect you spiritually?

2. Do you get newspapers, newsletters or magazines you seldom read? If so, name them. Why do you continue to subscribe?

3. In what ways, if any, are you sacrificing quality of life (more joy) in order to achieve a higher standard of living (more stuff)?

4. How might the absence of a TV in your home help simplify your life and help you spiritually?

5. Since the 1950’s our houses have doubled in size, on average, while at the same time our family size has been cut in half. Why do you think this is? How does this help or hurt our efforts to live simply?

6. In what ways, if any, could living a life of simplicity lead to a life of irresponsibility.

7. During what period of your life was your lifestyle the simplest? How happy were you then?

8. What “toys” in your life tend to complicate more than simplify?

9. Scripture speaks often of moderation. What does moderation look like in an affluent society?

10. If you were to hire your best friend or spouse as a consultant to streamline your life, what advice do you think that person would give?11. Where do you need to be more ruthless with the clutter in your life?

12. What are simple pleasures you most enjoy (napping in a hammock, picnicking in a scenic spot)? How do these activities affect you spiritually?

13. Someone said, “That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.” In what way is this true or not true in your own life?

14. What have you bought in the past month because of an ad that you would not have bought otherwise? How do you feel about the purchase now?

15. Does generosity go hand in hand with living simple? Why or why not?

16. What is the highest maintenance part of your life right now? What would it take to make it low maintenance?

17. Name three things that require more time and energy than they are worth? Can they be eliminated?

18. How do credit cards help or hinder you in the pursuit of a simple life?

19. Some believe the best way to leave this world is the same way you came in- with not a dime to your name. Do you agree or disagree with the “die broke” philosophy?

20. If you budgeted time like you budget money where would you budget more time and less time?

21. How would you teach your children moderation and restraint?

22. What is enough and how can we know when we have it?

23. Do you have enough silence built into your life? How do you respond to silence?

24. In what ways do you practice moderation in your diet? How does this impact you spiritually?

25. Think of a time when you visited someone who was living “below their means.” What was it that surprised you most about their home or lifestyle?

26. What family traditions could you initiate at holiday time that would help avoid excessive pressures?

27. Could buying in bulk simplify your life?

28. How does your choice of floor covering impact your life?

29. Would you ever consider having no yard or a low maintenance yard?

30. Do you tend to buy fewer things that are more expensive or more things that are less expensive? Which approach leads to simpler living?

31. Do you observe a Sabbath day in your week? What ways do you protect this time?

32. What can we learn from Jesus’ example of simple living?

33. What are some things a busy life leaves no time for?

34. Do your pets complicate or simplify your life?

35. Is your life more focused or scattered? What could you do to bring more focus into it?

36. Is it true that contentment comes from wanting less instead of getting more? Where is your focus- getting more or wanting less?

37. Someone said, “The more we have, the more we are faced with fears of losing what we have.” Is this true in your life?

38. When it comes to living simply, what cultural influence will require the greatest resistance on your part?

Questions to Help Redeem the Time

39. What does God want me to do right now?

40. What will be the fruit of this activity in 5 years?

41. What will be the fruit of this activity in eternity?

42. What job that I normally do can someone else do 80% as well?

43. If I died today what would I wish I had done that I did not accomplish?

44. Have I trained myself to go down my to do list without skipping over items?

45. What is the full cost of this activity not just in money but in time?

46. What is the opportunity cost of doing this?

47. Is there anything else I could be doing right now that would have better results?

48. How can I do it faster?

49. How can I do it better?

50. Is all of my reading done with some purpose in mind and some action step resulting?

51. How can I do it as a Christian, in a way a non-Christian would not?

52. What will happen if I continue to procrastinate on this?

53. What is the one thing that I and only I can do, that if done well, would have tremendous benefit to the Kingdom of God?

54. What resources are available to help which I haven't tried yet?

55. What am I going to produce today?

56. If I knew that I would die six months from today what would be the highest priority for my use of time between now and the day I die?

57. Will I obey God right now, yes or no? (No other option)

58. If I spent every day like I did yesterday would I be satisfied at the end of my life?

59. Is there a vision God has given me in the past which I have not yet seen come to pass?

60. What is the worst thing I have to do today so I can get it done first?

61. What have I seen the best results from in the past?

62. What is my greatest obstacle to completing my goals?

63. Why have my previous efforts not been successful?

64. What great thing would I attempt for God if I knew I could not fail?

65. What skills or knowledge must I gain in order to reach my goals?

66. Are my goals clearly identified?

67. What deadline I am setting to achieve my goals?

68. What are the benefits of reaching my goal?

69. What specific steps of action will I take to reach my goal?

70. Can I use the internet to achieve my goal?

71. Is there technology available to help me which I am not currently using?

72. What can I learn from the mistakes of others who have tried similar goals but have failed?

73. What are others who have become successful in my field doing that makes them successful?

74. Can I barter with someone for what I need?

75. What would Jesus do?

76. Where am I most likely to waste time today?

77. How much news do I really need?

78. Am I choosing the most profitable form of recreation, relaxation, entertainment?

79. How do I want my children to remember me?

80. If I keep doing what I've always done, will I achieve my full potential?

81. Am I willing to do whatever it takes to get God's best?

82. How can I do what I did today even better tomorrow?

83. How can I go today beyond what I have already mastered?

84. Which of today's tasks can be batched together for faster accomplishment?

85. On which of my tasks does perfection matter and on which ones does it not matter?

86. Instead of saying "Look at what I've accomplished" ask, “What could I have accomplished with what I was given?”

87. Will this help me or anyone else make it to heaven?

88. Will this activity promote personal holiness?

89. Am I leaving myself sufficient "open time" in my schedule to stay flexible enough for God to use me?

90. Would anything terrible happen if I didn't do this priority?

91. Have I blocked out sections of time where I can focus, concentrate on and pray over a high priority item?

92. Have I learned to think on paper?

93. Am I committed to not wasting the time of others?

94. Do I handle each piece of paper only once?

95. Do I have a place for everything so I spend as little time as possible looking for things?

96. How can I avoid crowds and waits by changing my schedule or routines?

97. Have I experimented with my body to find out the right amount of sleep I actually need to be at my best?

98. Do I know when to leave well enough alone?

99. What productive and time conscience people can I associate with?

100. Have I mastered the telephone as a time saving device or am I its slave?

101. Is my desk organized for maximum effectiveness with the least distraction?

*Most questions in this section adapted from “201 Great Questions the Help Simplify Your Life” by Jerry Jones. Navpress.